Will my ex-bats ever lay again?

[boxy1974]

We got our three ex-bats about 18 months ago. All was well,one egg off each girl per day. They had a rest every now and again. In fact we had that many eggs we had to give them to the family. Now over the last three months not a single egg. Whats gone wrong? The girls have been wormed,the hen house cleaned twice per week. I have seen feathers on the floor but not that many and the girls puff up to look like a football. Is this the end of the eggs? Any help would be great.

Paul

ps
Girls are called

Sage
Rocket (boss hen)
Clover

[MaureenHall]

To be honest, I don't really know! Hens for battery farms aren't bred for their longevity, and if you've had them 18 months then they're now knocking on 3 years old and could already have each laid around 700 eggs, if not more. Their bodies might have gone into retirement, or having a long rest before starting to lay (sporadically) again. Enjoy having the girls as pets

[Suechooks]

I have 3 left from 21 months ago and one is definitely not laying and frankly I'm glad as the other 2 are doing very thin or defective shells despite additional limestone flour and cod liver oil. One of the 2 lays most days still and the other about 2-3 a week. I really wish they'd retire and enjoy life!
As Maureen says just enjoy them as pets. Ex-batts are not really reliable layers or they'd still be in their cages.

[Nicos]

My chooks are only just over a year old and are moulting a bit- not a lot- and of the 5 layers we're only getting 3 eggs a day.
...maybe yours will start again after a rest and a moult???
3 months is a long break though isn't it??....
Are they overweight? that can stop them laying.

[frias]

I have had 3 of my ex-batts nearly 18 months and 2 hardly ever lay and if they do it's a softie. Despite limestone flour, codliver oil, crushed eggshells, oyster shell, ex-batts pellets and a very expensive suppliment from the vet! I wish they wouldn't bother at all as laying those softies does take it out of them. Yesterdays was huge and didn't even break. Must be like trying to lay a balloon full of water. The 3rd ex-batt has just had a 3 month rest as she's been sitting on some fertile eggs (not her own) and bringing up her family. Now she's back laying daily and they are very big and really strong shelled eggs. The 3 newest ex-batts got earlier this year are still laying well.

[boxy1974]

Thanks for all your replys. I think the girls are about the normal size,not too fat. Its strange that they all stopped at the same time.

[Nicos]

I wonder if they could of had a shock- a fox or something which couldn't get in, but still scared them....just a thought

[HayleyB]

More of mine are moulting, having a break getting about 14 a day from 36 layers most of the ex bats aren't laying for now, including the March intake

[vicky]

I had 3 ex batts, they got to about 18 months old and started to lay soft shelled eggs, then 2 died (I assumed natural causes) and the other didn't lay for a month...now she's started to lay 1 per day again!
I don't know how that helps you but thought I'd say they might!

[CoraxAurata]

I don't have experience of ex-batts and age seems the likely explanation - but if it were my chooks I'd be hunting under every bush, etc......... just in case

[RichmondHens]

Tis the time of year for moulting, and with decreasing levels of light, the egg production will shut down in pretty much all hens except some of the young hybrids. Having said that, my bantams are in full swing at the moment, having spent all spring and summer broody. Just as well, as all the big ones are now in moult.!

[boxy1974]

Oh well its only taken about three months now,but this morning we got 2 eggs. Things are looking up. Good girls LOL

[Nicos]

Bet that was a surprise!!!...phew!...enjoy

[Suechooks]

Oh well its only taken about three months now,but this morning we got 2 eggs. Things are looking up. Good girls LOL

Nothing like ex-batts for surprising you!

[Bramble-Poultry]

Hopefully it was just a well deserved rest!! I need one of those